J -Cacti 2011

[Tony]

Great little plants Jens!
Like the shot of the fishing boat too.

[Jens]

All my seedlings get more or less the same "standard" soil. pH will be around 6 although I don't measure every batch. Adults get different soils.

Same here, thanks Ian.

Thank you Tony, the guy using the boat is a retired fisherman who is rowing out the boat a few hundred yards to bring out his nets -if the weather is right.

[Jens]

I took a peek into the outdoor highbed under the shelter after its first winter (a few nights of 20° below freezing were the lowest).
Many of them still look alive. I was especially happy for the old Maihuenopsis mandragora and the test Gymnos and Pteros


October

Hochbeet 2011 Oktober30-2.jpg (79.44 KiB) Viewed 1374 times

February

Hochbeet 2012 Februar26.jpg (84.42 KiB) Viewed 1374 times

Hochbeet 2012 Februar26-2.jpg (90.26 KiB) Viewed 1374 times

[CoronaCactus]

Very cool!

[Jens]

Thanks ,
I ´ll do some close ups as soon as I remove the coldframe. I´m not sure when to do it though.

[Ralf]

They all look quite healthy to me. Your advantage is the cold frame. Inside is it more and faster warm if the sun is shining comparable to the conditions of my plants. You'll see in a few weeks they'll start to grow and get buds.

[Jens]

Hello Ralf, so you would leave the cold frame on the highbed just some more days/ weeks?

[Ralf]

Jens, I wouldn't remove it before end of April. The plants get a better start into the new season.
You have to control the temperatur on sunny days inside the cold frame. To prevent a overheating you should lift the window for fresh air and air movement.
In such a small space the temp rises up too fast.
First watering is approximately possible in two or three weeks. If it's warm enough and no frost is forecasted.
Good luck and be careful!

[iann]

I already need to ventilate my greenhouse on sunny days, and the sun only touches it for a few hours.

[Jens]

Thanks !
The coldframe has an automatic vent on one side of the roof, which I detached for the winter season. I should connect it again soon.

[Jens]

I lifted the coldframe yesterday to take some pictures.

Last year

Hochbeet 2011 Juno04-1.jpg (88 KiB) Viewed 1299 times

This year

Hochbeet EC reichenbachii ssp. bayleyi v. albispinus 2012 März06.jpg (84.19 KiB) Viewed 1299 times

G. gibbosum and G. bruchii and Lobivia ferox in the right upper corner of the picture

Hochbeet Gymnocalycium 2012 März06.jpg (96.91 KiB) Viewed 1299 times

Pterocactus gonjanii in the foreground and P. valentini in the back

Hochbeet Pterocactus 2012 März06.jpg (91.06 KiB) Viewed 1299 times

P. tuberosus (P. kuntzei)

Hochbeet Pterocactus 2012 März06-1.jpg (97.46 KiB) Viewed 1299 times

Hochbeet EC adustus 2012 März06.jpg (90.23 KiB) Viewed 1299 times

Hochbeet EC dasyacanthus ssp. rectispinus 2012 März06.jpg (81.24 KiB) Viewed 1299 times

[iann]

They still look shrivelled from the cold. Or is it just because they are completely dry?

[Jens]

I think it is because of the cold weather (Still around 3° below freezing at night). The substrate outside doesn´t dry out as complete as the pots inside the GH would. .... I think I should also do some weed plucking soon...

[John C]

Looking good!

[Jens]

Thanks John, your outside (and inside) plants are doing fine too I hear?

Here are the first signs of spring inside over here